Mental Health Support.
Put your mental health first.
Useful links and resources to help support your mental health.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger: Call 000
Drs4Drs Telemedicine Service
Telemedicine support 24/7, 365 days a year: 1300 374 377 (1300 Dr4Drs)
Doctors and medical students can access free and confidential online telemedicine health service specifically for doctors and medical students who are struggling with their mental health or are in need of crisis support. The Doctors for Doctors Support Service (Drs4Drs) provides doctors and medical students with up to three counselling sessions of one hour each. It can also provide advice on how to access further care through the existing DHAS network, help you find a GP or psychiatrist. For the telemedicine health service, all counsellors are based in Australia. All are either registered psychologists (AHPRA), qualified social workers (AASW) or qualified counsellors (ACA; PACFA).
Hand n Hand – Peer To Peer Support
Hand-n-Hand is a free pre-clinical service and does not involve any medical or psychiatric treatment, but rather is based on peer support and mentoring. Hand-n-Hand can be accessed by any health workers or students.
Hand-n-Hand (Helping Australian New Zealand Nurses & Doctors) is a group of psychiatrists, general practitioners, nurses and allied health with a background in mental health helping to establish effective peer support for all healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, allied health and non-clinical staff) during this incredibly difficult time.
THIS WAY UP
THIS WAY UP hosts proven online courses that are designed, using CBT principles, to help you identify, understand, and guide you psychological difficulties like stress, insomnia, worry, anxiety and depression. The online courses tackle a broad range of mental health and well-being issues and guide you through using new coping skills to improve how you’re feeling.
Online Clinic (Black Dog)
This Online Clinic takes you through a range of clinical assessments for common mental health conditions. At the end you will receive a personalised report with suggested support services and free or low-cost resources for you to access. This report can be downloaded, printed or emailed to share with your family or doctor.
Your Health in Mind – RANZCP
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has a ‘Find a psychiatrist’ resource that can help you locate a Psychiatrist near you, with skills suitable to your treatment needs. There are many additional filters that apply to medical students and remember there is no need to include your postcode or location if you select ‘online appointments’.
A Dose of Grief
A Dose of Grief aims to change the culture around death, grief and bereavement through educating and inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Keeping your Grass Greener (2014)
Keeping Your Grass Greener is a fantastic and user-friendly guide to assist medical students in maintaining their health and wellbeing throughout their time at medical school. In 2014, the guide features articles written by leading experts in the field of medicine, health and wellbeing, on topics including stress management, mental resilience, effective study strategies and financial planning. There is a resources section at the end highlighting individual resources/services available at each university.
Headspace.org.au
eheadspace is their national online and phone support service, staffed by experienced youth mental health professionals. It provides young people and carers with a safe, secure and anonymous place to talk to a professional – wherever they are.
In regional and rural areas, getting access to expert psychiatrists is difficult. The Headspace National Telehealth Service addresses this, by providing 12-25 year olds in these areas, access to highly-skilled psychiatrists via video consultations.
1800RESPECT
Open 24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse
Mood Gym
A free online cognitive behaviour therapy program for preventing and coping with depression provided by the Centre for Mental Health Research.
Q Life
QLife provides anonymous and free Queer peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
The Butterfly Foundation
Supports adults (and impacted friends and family) with eating disorders and negative body image issues.
MensLine Australia
A telephone, online counselling, and referral service for men with emotional health, wellbeing and relationship concerns.